Area:
|
17 000 sq.km
|
Climate:
|
Highland rainy climate. Rainy season: October-April; cool temperatures in May- September
|
Population:
|
1.03 million (2001 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$1 290 (2000)
|
Specific characteristics of the country:
|
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked country
|
Logistics:
|
Good road network; imports through Mozambique or South Africa
|
Major foodcrops:
|
Maize
|
Marketing year:
|
May/April; Lean season: February-April
|
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
|
55 percent
|
The outlook for the 2002 cereal crops is poor. Following abundant rains at the beginning of the cropping season, which encouraged larger plantings of maize, a mid-season dry spell at the critical blossoming stage, seriously reduced yields. The output is forecast to be reduced for the third consecutive year.
The food situation is extremely tight as a result of two successive reduced harvests, low levels of reserves and inadequate levels of imports. The Government has appealed for emergency food aid. Worst affected areas are Lowveld, part of the Higlev and the Lubombo plateau.
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total | |
|
Previous five years average production |
- |
1 |
117 |
118 |
Previous five years average imports |
40 |
7 |
26 |
73 |
|
2001/02 Domestic Availability |
2 |
- |
74 |
76 |
2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
- |
- |
74 |
74 |
2001 Production (rice in milled terms) |
- |
- |
74 |
74 |
Possible stock drawdown |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
2001/02 Utilization |
35 |
7 |
112 |
154 |
Food use |
35 |
7 |
100 |
142 |
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Non-food use |
- |
- |
11 |
11 |
Exports or re-exports |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Possible stock build up |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
2001/02 Import Requirement |
33 |
7 |
38 |
78 |
Anticipated commercial imports |
33 |
7 |
37 |
77 |
Food aid needs |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Current Aid Position |
||||
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
of which: delivered |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
Donor-financed purchases |
- |
- |
- |
- |
of which: for local use |
- |
- |
- |
- |
for export |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) |
34 |
7 |
97 |
137 |
Indexes |
||||
2001 Production as % of average: |
63 | |||
2001/02 Import requirement as % of average: |
107 |
